Who Goes And Who Stays�As NDC Elects New Executives

The Ashanti Regional Capital, Kumasi is awashed with the red, green, black and white paraphernalia of the Umbrella fraternity as voting for the election of national executives begins in a few hours. The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) is ready to elect new executives who will steer the affairs of the party for the next four (4) years. About 4000 delegates of the party have converged at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium to determine the fate of incumbent executives as well as new aspirants. Political pundits will have their eyes on the National Chairman and the National Organiser positions of the party. As for the General Secretary position, they have indicated that it is a foregone conclusion because the candidate contesting for that position; Abdullah Ishaq Farrakhan is no match to the incumbent, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah popularly known as General Mosquito. National Chairman For the position of the National Chairman, the following candidates are battling for the slot: the incumbent, Dr Kwabena Adjei; Mr Kofi Portuphy (believed to be the lead contender); Mr Dan Abodakpi, a former minister of state and a career diplomat, and Alhaji Huudu Yahaya, a former secretary of state, former General Secretary of the party and incumbent Vice-Chairman of the party. For this position, Mr Abodakpi, Mr Portuphy, Alhaji Yahaya and Dr Adjei secured the first, second, third and fourth positions on the ballot, respectively. General Secretary Abdullah Ishaq Farrakhan is contesting the incumbent, Mr Asiedu Nketia for the position of the General Secretary. Abdullah Ishaq Farrakhan who is the only member of the NDC bold enough to contest the incumbent, is first on the ballot paper followed by the only General in the ruling party. Deputy General Secretary The position of Deputy General Secretary will be keenly contested by the incumbent, Mr George Lawson; Mr Kwadwo Adu Asare, the immediate past MP for Adenta and presidential staffer, Mr Koku Anyidoho, Communications Director at the Presidency in the era of President J.E.A. Mills, Wisdom Kwame Amaglo, Joseph R. D. Kobbinah and Evans Armoo. National Organiser This position is going to be keenly contested for by the incumbent, Yaw Boateng Gyan, and Mr Kofi Adams, an incumbent Deputy General Secretary and Spokesman for former President Rawlings. On the ballot paper, Mr Adams is first, followed by Mr Boateng-Gyan. Member of Parliament for Afram Plains North, Mr Emmanuel Didieye who was part of the aspirants contesting for this position took the second position on the ballot paper however he was disqualified. Mr Didieye was unhappy with his disqualification and went to court seeking an injunction on the congress. However, he withdrew the case because of his �love for the party�. National Treasurer Four people are contesting the position of National Treasurer. They are Alhaji Awudu Ariff, Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah, Kamal Noshie and John Owusu Amankrah (JOWAK). National Vice Chairman There are 17 aspirants contesting for this position. They are: Mr Harry Zakour, a former Korley Klottey Constituency Chairman; Ms Anita De-Sosoo, the former National Women�s Organiser; Mrs Betty Mould Iddrisu, a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General; Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, a former Minister of Local Government; Alhaji Said Sinare, a former diplomat; Mr Lee Ocran, a former Minister of Education and diplomat; Mr Danny Anang, a former Greater Accra Regional Chairman; Mr Andrew Nii Okaikoi and Alhaji Saani Mohammed, both NDC stalwarts. Others are: Mr Max Cobbina, Mr Asamoah Atuahene, Nana Kojo Toku, Mr Mohammed Alhassan, Alhaji Mohammed Abass, Mr Anthony Gyampo and Dr Yahuza Gomda. National Executive Committee For membership of the National Executive Committee, the 13 aspirants contesting are Alhaji Sumaila Mahama, Mr Suka Mohammed, Baba Lamin Abu Sadat, Mrs Victoria Kumah Mintah and Wisdom Keli Yamenu. The rest are Fato Kwame Nicholas, Samuel Adu Yeboah, William Adu Brown, Ekow Mends, Daniel Amartey, Dr Ebenezer Kofi Hayford, Nyaku Efenam Komla and Amadu Iddrisu Eliyasu. Propaganda Secretary Mr Solomon Yaw Nkansah, Mr Godson Kobla Agbeli Fiagbe and Nii Dodoo Dodoo are contesting for this position. Deputy Propaganda Secretary This position is being contested for by 12 aspirants. They are Alhaji Mohammed Nasru Seidu, David Dotse Kwadah, Prince Tanko Ibrahim, Asiedu Keteke, Fred Agbenyo, Kwaku Boahen and Christine Afi Fiako. The rest are Adongo Atule Jacob, Alfred Kojo Triddles, Aduku Amos Awinzor, Hamza Paramza and Alhaji Nuhu Khalid Baba. So are the Goliaths going to fall for the Davids to come to the fore or the reverse will be the case.